Central Community College softball is pleased to announce the signing of Ava Steinke, a senior at Central City High School, and Jaidyn Walford, a senior at Grand Island Senior High.

Steinke (left) helped lead the Bison to a 26-5 record and an appearance in the 2022 NSAA Class C Softball tournament. She sported a .417 batting average and an .822 fielding percentage. Steinke earned Honorable Mention honors for three years in the Omaha World-Herald, the Lincoln Journal-Star and the Grand Island Independent. She was named All-LouPlatte Conference First Team for three years.

"Ava comes from a competitive program, and we are looking forward to her bringing that competitiveness to ours," said CCC head coach Caitlin Simon. "We are very excited how versatile Ava is and can't wait for her join our program in August."

Steinke will major in early childhood education at CCC. She is the daughter of Marc and Val Steinke of Central City.

Walford (right) played first base for the Islanders and was named to the 2022 All-Heartland Softball Super Squad. She belted nine homeruns, sported .450 batting average and a .874 slugging average. Walford's fielding percentage was .986.

"Jaidyn brings power to the lineup and has the opportunity to make an immediate impact," said Simon. "More importantly, we are getting a great person on and off the field."

Walford will be an academic transfer at CCC.